Flavored golf tee

ABSTRACT

A flavored golf tee and method for flavoring the flavored golf tee. The flavored golf tee includes a shaft with a tip for inserting the flavored golf tee into the ground. The flavored golf tee includes a cap extruding from the shaft opposite the tip for securing a golf ball. The shaft and the cap are flavored with a flavoring.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/681,180, filed May 13, 2005 entitled “Flavored Golf Tee”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf tees, and more particularly to a method of creating a flavored golf tee, and flavored golf tee that is both taste appealing, functional and safe for a user to consume.

2. Description of the Related Art

A golf tee is a nail-like object designed to be pressed into the ground. A golf ball is then placed on the tee in order to allow the golf ball to be effectively struck by a player using a golf club or iron. Golf tees are normally used for the first stroke of each hole when playing the sport of golf. The tee consists of a shaft used to elevate the ball off of the ground and a cap that the ball rests on. Most tees are made from wood or a wood derivative, but other materials such as plastic have become more commonplace.

Golf is a leisure sport, and as such, many players relish their time golfing and the general ambience of being outdoors doing something enjoyable. Golf tees are often placed in golf bags, pants, shorts pockets, or in a player's mouth. Many users place the golf tee in their mouth to chew on or suck on as they pass time golfing. For many players a golf tee functions like gum, a toothpick, a cigarette, or pipe, it gives them a useful way to expel energy and allows them to fidget in a socially accepted manner. Unfortunately, many golf tees are painted or otherwise treated with a lacquer, stain, or other finish. As a result, many golf players are unwittingly ingesting paint, lacquer, stain and other elements that are unhealthy or unsafe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments provide a flavored golf tee and method for flavoring the flavored golf tee. The flavored golf tee includes a shaft with a tip for inserting the flavored golf tee into the ground. The flavored golf tee includes a cap extruding from the shaft opposite the tip for securing a golf ball. The shaft and the cap are flavored with a flavoring. Illustrative embodiments provide users confidence they may suck on a tee with no adverse health effects, in addition to enjoying a very pleasing flavor.

The method for flavoring a flavored golf tee includes forming a flavored golf tee of an absorbent material. The absorbent material of the flavored golf tee is then flavored.

In another illustrative embodiment, the absorbent material is flavored before forming the flavored golf tee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a flavored golf tee in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of flavored golf tees of increasing shaft size in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a preferred embodiment of a flavored golf tee with a narrow shaft of large width in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the flavored golf tee shown in FIG. 3A in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is front view of a flavored golf tee of narrow shaft size in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a flavored golf tee with varying shaft size in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a process for creating a flavored golf tee in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a process for creating a flavored golf tee in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments provide a method of creating a flavored golf tee, and flavored golf tee that is both taste appealing and functional as a golf tee. The flavored golf tee of the illustrative embodiments provides a flavored golf tee that is safe and taste pleasing. The flavored golf tee eliminates the possibility that a golfer will ingest harmful or unsafe materials while sucking or chewing on the flavored golf tee. In contrast to a traditional golf tee, the flavored golf tee provides the user with enjoyable taste and tactile sensations.

The flavored golf tee may be particularly useful when golfing, adding to the experience and ambience. The flavored golf tee may also prevent a golfer from trash talking and using as much profanity on the golf course because the user's mouth is otherwise occupied. The flavored golf tee may be used on or off of a golf course. The term user is used herein to refer to a golfer, golf player, or any other person that may benefit from sucking on or otherwise consuming a favored golf tee.

The flavored golf tee may be created by flavoring the material used to form the flavored golf tee before or after the golf tee is structurally formed.

FIG. 1 is a front view of flavored golf tee in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Flavored golf tee 100 is essentially composed of two elements. The bottommost portion is shaft 102. Shaft 102 may be circularly shaped as with typical golf tees and preferably includes tip 104 for allowing shaft 102 to be easily inserted into the ground. tip 104 is the portion of flavored golf tee 100 first inserted into the ground during use as a golfing component. Tip 104 may be pointed for easy insertion or blunt for better allowing the flavor of flavored golf tee 100 to be extracted by a user.

Shaft 102 is the portion of flavored golf tee 100 most likely to be place in a user's mouth because of the shape and structure of flavored golf tee. Other shaft shapes may be used based on the preferred flavor tactile sensation. Shaft 102 of flavored golf tee 100 may be flat, round, square, oblong, or any other shape that allows it to be safely placed in a player's mouth and/or later placed in the ground as a golf tee.

Extruding from the upper portion of shaft 102 is head or cap 106. Cap 106 is used to position and hold a golf ball. Cap 106 preferably has a round circumference with a concave indentation that allows the ball to better rest on flavored golf tee 104. There are numerous other forms and structures of caps that may be used to best hold the golf ball that are applicable to illustrative embodiments. For example, cap 106 may grip the golf ball, cap 106 may be a brush, or any other mechanism for securing and positioning the ball. Cap 106 and shaft 102 may be wide or thin based on the desired performance required when striking the golf ball.

Flavored golf tee 100 is preferably constructed or formed from a porous or absorbent material that allows a predetermined flavor to permeate flavored golf tee 100. These porous materials include wood and other biodegradable or organic composites or polymers that allow the flavor to permeate the materials fibers or particles. Wood or other tee materials that are very porous or otherwise absorbent allow more flavoring to be soaked into flavored golf tee 100 including wood fibers, composition, and particles during the flavoring process. Flavored golf tee 100 may be flavored using any number of flavors each of which may have varying levels of potency.

Flavored golf tee 100 may be sweet, sour, bitter, salty, or any combination thereof. Potential flavors include, but are not limited to cinnamon, peppermint, anise, almond, mint, tea tree oil, spearmint, fennel, menthol, nicotine, rum, bubble gum, fruit, herb, or a combination thereof. Many users already enjoy the flavor of cinnamon and may likely prefer that flavor of cinnamon flavored golf tees 100. Flavored golf tee 100 may be flavored with cinnamon flavoring, oil, or other extracts. Flavored golf tee 100 may be flavored with nicotine in order to help a player control his desire to smoke. Additionally, flavored golf tee 100 may be infused with a specific flavored medicine. The flavor used may be natural or artificial or a combination of the two. The flavor may also be a sweetener.

Flavored golf tee 100 may be infused with flavor in a number of ways. In one flavoring process, the wood or other material used to form the flavored golf tee is flavored before it is shaped into flavored golf tee. In another process, the flavored golf tee may be constructed and afterwards flavored with a specific flavoring. This may involve immersing the golf tee in a flavoring, spraying the golf tee with the flavoring, air saturation of a flavoring or otherwise applying the desired flavoring to create flavored golf tee 100. Different techniques may be required for different flavorings, oils, concentrates, or extracts in order to obtain the desired potency. In some cases a drying period may be required to allow the flavor to be fully drawn into flavored golf tee 100. A drying period may also prevent flavored golf tee 100 from being sticky or wet feeling when grabbed for use or to be placed in a user's mouth.

There are many ways flavored golf tee 100 may be used. Flavored golf tee 100 may be placed in a user's mouth on or off the golf course. The benefit of using flavored golf tee 100 on the course is that when a user needs a golf tee or has consumed all of the flavor of flavored golf tee 100, the user may then use flavored golf tee for teeing up a golf ball. The average golf tee lasts three holes before it is lost or broken. As a result, a user may enjoy having flavored golf tee 100 in the user's mouth before using flavored golf tee 100 to tee up a golf ball. Because of parasites, germs, fertilizers, and other unhealthy elements within the ground it would never be advisable for a user to use a flavored golf tee for holding a ball above the ground and then subsequently place flavored golf tee 100 in the user's mouth.

FIG. 2 is a front view of flavored golf tees of increasing shaft size in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Depending on the golf conditions and a user's preferences, flavored golf tees 200 with varying shaft lengths may be employed. Flavored golf tees are flavored tees such as flavored golf tee 100 of FIG. 1.

The different shaft lengths of flavored golf tees 200 allow a user to tee the ball up higher or lower as necessary. For example, shaft 202 is for teeing a ball up very high, shaft 204 may be used to tee the ball up to a medium height, and shaft 206 may be used to tee the ball up very low. Additionally, a longer shaft, such as shaft 202, may permit more flavor to be stored therein providing a longer lasting taste experience.

Flavored golf tees 200 may be flavored differently. For example, the shaft and the cap of the tee may be flavored differently. In another possible embodiment, one side of the shaft and/or cap may be flavored differently from the other side of the shaft and cap providing additional variety. In one possible example, the shaft may be bubble gum flavored with the cap being mint flavored.

FIG. 3A is a preferred embodiment of a flavored golf tee with a narrow shaft of large width in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a side view of the flavored golf tee shown in FIG. 3A in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a flavored golf tee with a narrow shaft of large width. Flavored golf tee 300 is a flavored tee similar to flavored golf tee 100 of FIG. 1 with the exception of wide shaft 302 and rounded tip 304. Wide shaft 302 may allow for more surface area of flavored golf tee 300 to be in contact with a player's tongue at any given time increasing the taste experience.

In one example, wide shaft 302 is wider than a normal golf tee, but wide shaft 302 is just as narrow as a normal golf tee as best seen in the side view of FIG. 3B. The structural design of flavored golf tee 300 is likely to last as long as a standard tee once a user has decided to use it for teeing up a ball. For example, a user may be able to use flavored golf tee 300 three times once the user has sucked or consumed the flavor out of flavored golf tee 300. Flavored golf tee 300 may also include a rounded tip 304 for preventing a user from hurting, poking or otherwise damaging the inside of the user's mouth while consuming the flavor in flavored golf tee 300.

FIG. 4 is front view of a flavored golf tee of narrow shaft size in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 is front view of flavored golf tee 400 of narrow shaft size. In this embodiment, shaft 402 of flavored golf tee 400 is much narrower than a standard golf tee. Flavored golf tee 400 allows a user to better suck on flavored golf tee 400 and pointed tip 404 may even allow the user to use flavored golf tee 400 to pick the user's teeth after a meal. Pointed tip 404 may be thin and narrow for allowing a user to insert pointed tip between the user's teeth to remove food and/or massage teeth and gums. Flavored golf tee 400 is practical for restaurants present on golf courses or restaurants catering to golfers. Flavored golf tee 400 may be a novelty present or gift given to co-workers, friends, family, or golf enthusiasts.

Flavored golf tee 400 may be the equivalent of a mint or toothpick. A user may suck on flavored golf tee 400 and use flavored golf tee 400 as a toothpick to pick food from teeth and gums, and then use flavored golf tee 400 to tee up a golf ball if the need arises. The flavor within flavored golf tee 400 may also be used to alleviate bad breath and otherwise maintain saliva in a user's mouth for preventing the negative effects and feelings of a dry mouth.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a flavored golf tee with varying shaft size in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, flavored golf tee 500 includes shaft 502 and narrow section 504 of shaft 502 that narrows substantially where shaft 502 attaches to tip 506.

As with flavored golf tee 400 of FIG. 4, flavored golf tee 500 may allow a user to pick his teeth with flavored golf tee 500 while simultaneously preserving the functionality of the flavored golf tee for teeing up a golf ball. Narrow section 504 and tip 506 may allow the user to more easily use tip 506 to pick teeth. The cap of flavored golf tee 500 may be similar to standard golf tees.

In any of the previously described embodiments flavored golf tee 500 may be personalized with a name, logo, symbol, or other design. The substance and colors used to personalized the flavored golf tee are edible and completely safe for consumption. In one possible embodiment, the substance used to personalize flavored golf tees may be any of the flavors previously specified.

In another embodiment, flavored golf tee 500 is externally coated with a candy shell or other flavoring. In that embodiment, it would be preferable that a user consumed the candy shell before the user used flavored golf tee 500 for teeing up a golf ball.

In yet another embodiment, flavored golf tee 500 may be entirely edible. Instead of wood, an edible material or pulp is flavored and used to form flavored golf tee 500. For example, flavored golf tee 500 may be formed from a corn or soy composite. For instance, a hard candy mix similar to that used for suckers may be placed in a golf tee mold. The flavored golf tee could be used for golf or could be consumed at the player's leisure.

Flavored golf tee 500 may be any shape or design. Flavored golf tee 500 may incorporate a structure or friction reducing elements. Aspects of the present invention would be applicable with most of friction reducing designs. It is envisioned that the present invention may be marketed or trademarked using names including: Tastee, TastTee, Tasty-Tee, TastyT, Mintee, MinTee, Tastee-Tee, and other similar derivations. The flavors applicable to the present invention are limited only by the market for such an item and encompass all possible flavors.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a process for creating a flavored golf tee in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. The process of FIG. 6 may be used to create a flavored golf tee such as flavored golf tee 100 of FIG. 1. The process begins by forming the structure of the flavored golf tee (step 602). The structure is the form and shape of the flavored golf tee. For example, the flavored golf tee may have the structure of any of the illustrative embodiments herein described, a combination thereof, or any other structure used to secure a ball for golfing. Next, the process flavors the material composing the structure of the flavored golf tee (step 604) with the process terminating thereafter. For example, the material may be wood and may be flavored by spraying/soaking the entire surface of the flavored golf tee with a combination of cinnamon oil and artificial and natural flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives. The flavored golf tee may optionally need to be dried or cured so that the flavored golf tee is not sticky or otherwise unacceptable to the user. The flavored golf tee may be flavored according to a desired potency from very potent to nearly no potency.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a process for creating a flavored golf tee in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. The process of FIG. 6 may be used to create a flavored golf tee such as flavored golf tee 100 of FIG. 1. The process begins by flavoring the material used to compose the structure of the flavored golf tee (step 702). Next, the process forms the structure of the flavored golf tee (step 704) with the process terminating thereafter. The process of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be implemented for a single flavored golf tee or preferably for large batches of tees.

Thus, the aspects of illustrative embodiments provide for a flavored golf tee. Flavor within the flavored golf tee may be safely consumed without ingestion danger to the user. The flavored golf tee may also be used for golfing after the flavor is consumed from the flavored golf tee. Illustrative embodiments provide users confidence they may suck on a tee with no adverse health effects, in addition to enjoying a very pleasing flavor. It is assumed that a user would not consume the flavored golf tee after it has been placed in the ground or otherwise contaminated in accordance with common sense and knowledge of contaminants, germs, and toxic materials.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A flavored golf tee comprising: a shaft with a tip for inserting the flavored golf tee into the ground; a cap extruding from the shaft opposite the tip for securing a golf ball, wherein the shaft and the cap are flavored with a flavoring.
 2. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the flavoring is artificial or natural.
 3. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the flavoring is any of an extract, concentrate or oil.
 4. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the flavored golf tee is flavored to a desired level of potency.
 5. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the flavoring is any of cinnamon, peppermint, anise, almond, mint, tea tree oil, spearmint, fennel, menthol, nicotine, rum, bubble gum, herb, and fruit flavoring.
 6. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the shaft is very long.
 7. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the shaft is wide, in order to increase the surface area of the flavored golf tee against a users tongue increasing the taste sensation.
 7. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the shaft narrows to the tip, wherein the tip is a pointed tip for allowing a user to pick teeth.
 8. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the tip is rounded for preventing a user from damaging a mouth of the user.
 9. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein portions of the flavored golf tee may be flavored differently.
 10. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the flavored golf tee is made of wood.
 11. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein said flavored golf tee is made of an absorbent organic composite.
 12. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, further comprising a coating around said flavored golf tee for increasing a flavoring of the flavored golf tee.
 13. The flavored golf tee of claim 12, wherein the coating is a hard candy.
 14. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the flavored golf tee is a personalized flavored golf tee personalized with an edible coloring.
 15. The flavored golf tee of claim 18, wherein the personalized flavored golf tee includes any of a name, logo, symbol, or design.
 16. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein the flavored golf tee is edible.
 17. The flavored golf tee of claim 1, wherein said flavored golf tee may be used for teeing up a golf ball before or after the flavored golf tee is placed in a users mouth.
 18. A flavored golf tee comprising: a narrow shaft with a wide width with a tip for inserting the flavored golf tee into the ground a cap extruding from the shaft, wherein the shaft and said cap are flavored with a flavoring; wherein the shaft with the wide width provides added taste sensation.
 19. A process for flavoring a flavored golf tee comprising: forming a flavored golf tee of an absorbent material; and flavoring the absorbent material of the flavored golf tee.
 20. The process of flavoring a golf tee of claim 19, further comprising flavoring the absorbent material before the forming step. 